"Oh, I guess I can give a good account of myself," returned Hal. "I've been pretty fortunate thus far. I don't figure I am going to fall before any Frenchman's sword or pistol. I'll probably be saved for a German bullet some of these days." Chester became silent. He knew that an argument was useless. Besides, he knew that in Hal's position his own actions would be the same. It was shortly after 6 o'clock that evening when two French officers made their way to the quarters to which the boys had been assigned. "Choose swords," said Hal laconically, as Chester rose to greet the callers. "Mr. Paine," queried one of the Frenchmen politely. "No," replied Chester; "but I shall act for him." "Good," returned the Frenchman. "I am Lieutenant Mercer, and this," indicating his companion, "is Lieutenant Lamont." "I am Chester Crawford," said the lad briefly. "Then, to get down to business," said Lieutenant Mercer. "Mr. Paine has insulted my friend, Lieutenant Dupree. My friend demands an apology." "There'll be no apology," said Chester shortly. "Ah! In that case my friend, Lieutenant Dupree, demands satisfaction from Mr. Paine." "It seems to me he has had satisfaction," said Chester. "Ah!" replied the Frenchman cheerfully. "You no doubt refer to the blow passed by Mr. Paine? It is for that my friend demands satisfaction." "He had that coming to him," declared Chester. "So you may believe. Lieutenant Dupree thinks otherwise. Now, as to the arrangements----" "Look here," said Chester, interrupting. "With the whole German army lined up in front of us, it seems to me that our friend should be able to find all the fighting he wants. This fighting among ourselves is all nonsense." "But my friend's honor----" began the Frenchman. "Bosh!" declared Chester. "It wasn't your friend's honor that was hurt. It was his face." "Then am I to understand that your friend refuses to fight?" "No!" shouted Chester. "He doesn't refuse to fight. He just doesn't see the necessity of fighting. That's all. But if you insist, he will give your friend all the satisfaction he wants." "I must insist," replied Lieutenant Mercer. "All right, then," said Chester. "I am not familiar with dueling etiquette, but as the challenged party I believe the choice of weapons lies with us." The Frenchman bowed in assent. "Then let it be swords!" "Good! And the time and place?" "I'll leave that to you." "In the morning at half-past five--provided we are all alive--in the little woods half a mile in the rear. Are these convenient for you?" "Perfectly. We shall be there on time. Will you please bring weapons?" "I shall be delighted," replied the Frenchman. "Until the morning, then," and the two French officers bowed themselves out. "Well, you are into it now," said Chester to Hal, after their visitors had gone. "Looks to me as though you had a fair chance of seeing the Happy Hunting Grounds before six o'clock to-morrow."